Ex-Napolcom exec ready to face possible charges over drug war deaths

Former National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, September 27, 2024. Joan Bondoc, PNA/File  

MANILA — Former National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo said Friday that he was prepared to face possible charges after being linked to killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“We will face ‘yung charges, kung meron ha,” Leonardo said in a chance interview.

Leonardo has been asked by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to provide a counter-affidavit following his implication in the 2020 killing of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga, which surfaced during the House Quad Committee hearings.

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He said he would cooperate with authorities but declined to make any further comments to the media.

“That’s why we are here. We can’t talk about the case,” he said.

“Ongoing na ‘yung investigation,” he added.

Leonardo was given until Friday of the following week to submit their counter-affidavit to substantiate the case.

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